Jewish tradition has a powerful message about precisely that – the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone.
Where do we find this idea? It springs from Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Psalms. Specifically, it's Psalm 118 that sparks this particular midrashic fire. "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" – a verse that resonates deeply with themes of unexpected redemption and divine choice.
But what does it really mean? The midrash goes on to illustrate this concept through the patriarchs. Abraham, for example. He had Ishmael, and the sons of Keturah. Isaac had Esau and all his princes. But it was Jacob, the seemingly less favored son, who fathered the twelve tribes of Israel. And these twelve tribes, the midrash emphasizes, were "complete for God," as we see in Genesis 42:11, "We are all sons of one man, we are sincere." There's a sense of wholeness, of perfection, that comes specifically through Jacob's lineage. The verse from Song of Songs 4:7, "You are altogether beautiful, my love," further underscores this idea of completeness and divine favor.
So, what's the connection? The rejected stone, in this interpretation, represents those who might be initially overlooked or considered less significant. Yet, they ultimately become the very foundation upon which something great is built.
The midrash doesn’t stop there. It continues, "By the Lord, this was wondrous in our eyes." Imagine the scene: The Knesset Yisrael, the congregation of Israel, is enslaved in mud and bricks in Egypt. They're at their lowest point. Then, they're liberated! They rise up "in clouds of glory." The Egyptians, who had oppressed them, are astonished. "Until now you were enslaved in all kinds of hard labor," they say, "and now you are rising in all glory!"
And how does Israel respond? "You are amazed at us, but we are more amazed than you!" They echo the sentiment of Song of Songs 6:12, "I did not know my soul had made me chariots of my people, a noble steed." It's as if they're saying, "We didn't even realize the potential within us!" The Holy Spirit then seals the moment, declaring, "By the Lord, this was wondrous in our eyes." The people who were once enslaved, the people who were once building with mud and bricks, they become something glorious, something awe-inspiring. The transformation is so profound, so unexpected, that everyone – even the Israelites themselves – are filled with wonder.
What does this mean for us today? Maybe you feel like that rejected stone. Maybe you feel like you’re stuck in the mud and bricks. The Midrash Tehillim reminds us that even from the most unlikely places, greatness can emerge. Redemption is always possible. And sometimes, the very qualities that make us feel overlooked are the very qualities that make us essential. It’s a message of hope, resilience, and the ever-present possibility of transformation.